specialkae:Dear friend and I talked about going to Burning Man 2012. When we found out what tickets cost (IFIRC, close to $250 for a carload for 2 adult peeps) plus the expense of tents, camping equipment, etc and we're both fair campers, we decided, hell no. Too expensive and I don't care if someone is handing out free acid/weed/ecstasy at the front gates. Too expensive to go and camp and roast alive in the desert for a few days.

Unless you've been, you can't really know what you're missing out on. It's not just camping in the desert. A whole goddamn city pops up for the span of a week, then disappears. A city where there's always lights and music and pyrotechnics, where there's always something to do, something new to experience, and where nearly everything can be gotten for free or simple trade. It's unlike anything else, and it's really worth experiencing once... provided you have the money and aren't afraid of the heat during the day.

Calling Burning Man "camping in the desert" is like calling a three hour marathon sex session with multiple partners "a bit of lovemaking". It may be technically accurate, but the words do not properly convey the scope of what is happening.

Inchoate:I've not been to Burning Man and don't know if I'll ever go, but several folks I know and respect have had wonderful times there.I went to a similarly themed but MUCH smaller event (moneyless economy, leave no trace, camping, ritual effigy-burning near the end) on a farm in New Jersey (Freeform). The other campers I went with were scientists who brought a DJ.Lots of revelry, creativity, and camaraderie. Everyone wore whatever they wanted (or didn't want). It was a very relaxing, enjoyable weekend and I met some fascinating people, not all of whom were whom you'd call "hippies" or the like. Don't knock it till you've tried it!

If you can stand the heat, the locals have started doing a free event called "The Fourth of JuPlaya" on (you guessed it) the week of the 4th of July. They can't build any of the amazing structures that Burning Man can (no permits), but since the Black Rock Desert is on BLM land it means anyone can camp there at any time, no camping permit required. You do have to keep the camps a bit further apart to not fall afoul of the restrictions on large settlements, but that just means its spread out over a 10 mile radius instead of a 2 mile. Not as many people mind you, but it's free.